Demographics

The 2001 national census recorded 30,007,094 people; the population is currently estimated by Statistics Canada to be 32.623 million people. Population growth is largely accomplished through immigration and, to a lesser extent, natural growth. About three-quarters of Canada's population live within 160 kilometres (100 mi) of the U.S. border. A similar proportion live in urban areas concentrated in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor (notably the Toronto-Hamilton, Montreal, and Ottawa census metropolitan areas), the BC Lower Mainland (Vancouver and environs), and the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor in Alberta.

Toronto, Ontario is one of the world's most multicultural cities.

Canada is an ethnically diverse nation. According to the 2001 census, it has 34 ethnic groups with at least one hundred thousand members each. The largest ethnic group is "Canadian" (39.4%), followed by English (20.2%), French (15.8%), Scottish (14.0%), Irish (12.9%), German (9.3%), Italian (4.3%), Chinese (3.7%), Ukrainian (3.6%) and First Nations (3.4%). Canada's aboriginal population is growing almost twice as fast as the rest of the Canadian population. In 2001, 13.4% of the population belonged to visible minorities. In comparison with most developed countries, Canada maintains a relatively high immigration rate. Immigrants are particularly attracted to the major urban areas of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

Canadians adhere to a wide variety of religions. According to 2001 census, 77.1% of Canadians identified as being Christians; of this, Catholics make up the largest group (43.6% of Canadians). The largest Protestant denomination is the United Church of Canada; about 16.5% of Canadians declared no religious affiliation, and the remaining 6.3% were affiliated with religions other than Christianity, of which the largest is Islam.

In Canada, the provinces and territories are responsible for education; thus Canada has no national department of education. Each of the 13 education systems are similar while reflecting their own regional history, culture and geography. The mandatory school age varies across Canada but generally ranges between the ages of 5-7 to 16-18, contributing to an adult literacy rate that is 99%. Postsecondary education is the responsibility of the provincial and territorial governments that provide most of their funding; the federal government provides additional funding through research grants. In 2002, 43% of Canadians aged between 25 and 64 had post-secondary education; for those aged 25 to 34 the postsecondary attainment reaches 51%.

ANNOTATIONS

logging industry – заготовка и транспортировка леса; lead – свинец; surplus – избыток; mandatory – обязательный; attainment – знания, достижения

Comprehension Check Exercises

I. Fill in the blank with the correct word:

1. Canada is a free market economy with slightly more government intervention than the United States, but much less than ….

2. In the past century, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into ….

3. Canada's aboriginal population is growing almost … as the rest of the Canadian population.

4. Postsecondary education is the responsibility of the … and territorial governments.

II. Find out whether the statement is true or false according to the information in the text:

1. Canada is one of the world's wealthiest nations with a high per capita income.

2. For the past decade, after a period of turbulence, the Canadian economy has been growing rapidly with low employment.

3. Today Canada closely resembles the U.S. in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards.

4. About three-quarters of Canada's population live within 160 kilometres (100 mi) of the U.S. border.

5. In comparison with most developed countries, Canada maintains a low immigration rate.

6. Canadians adhere to a wide variety of religions.

7. Canada has a national department of education.

8. The mandatory school age varies across Canada.

III. Questions:

1. What are Canada’s most important industries?

2. Which proportion of Canada’s population live in urban areas?

3. Where in particular are they concentrated?

4. How many ethnic groups has Canada?

5. What are the largest ones?

6. What major urban areas are immigrants particularly attracted to?

7. Who is responsible in Canada for education?

8. What provides the federal government? How does it do?

IV. Do you remember?

1. Whom depict five denominations of Canadian banknotes?

2. Name one of the world's most multicultural cities.

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